This week's pick:

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Here I was thinking I could take a week off, and then the awesomely talented Mike Hawthorne reminded me (with his fabolous inking on Ramon Perez's Thing headsketch) that I said I was going to put some inks on the sketch, so I guess I had some catch-up to do as everyone else ;)

Hope Ramon and y'all dig it :)

Synopsis:Now I wish I could work on this story: I have already a bit of setup: Ben and Reed part ways (not in a good way). After a few years Ben is a PI and (femme fatale) Sue steps in his office. She wants Ben investigating on the murder of Mr Fantastic. How does that sounds for a NOIR take on the FF? :) Any Marvel editor/writer out there who wants to do this with me? Uh? :)

UPDATE!I decided to take a quick stab at the opening splash page for the book. Couldn't help it :) Still waiting for that Marvel phone call ;)

…She walked in like she walked out five years ago. Tall, cool, blonde, but with a hint of trouble that made you think she was the wildcat twin sister Grace Kelly was trying hide from the Prince of Monaco’s family.

I took a slug of rye from the barrel I kept under my desk then I spoke.

“Hello, Sue. Long time. You might even say it’s been quite a stretch.”

You gotta admit, the kid never gave anything away. Her eyes flashed, and she gripped her pocket book a little tighter, but that was it.

“I’d hoped this was going to be a pleasant reunion, Ben. Now, I’m not sure why I came here in the first place.”I took another shot.

“Sure you do, baby. Everybody wants a piece of the rock.”Her look softened and there was a catch in her voice.

Amazing, and with that classic hat and overcoat, noir fits Ben Grimm, like, well, a classic hat and overcoat…

“…She walked in like she walked out five years ago. Tall, cool, blonde, but with a hint of trouble that made you think she was the wildcat twin sister Grace Kelly was trying hide from the Prince of Monaco’s family.

I took a slug of rye from the barrel I kept under my desk then I spoke.

“Hello, Sue. Long time. You might even say it’s been quite a stretch.”

You gotta admit, the kid never gave anything away. Her eyes flashed, and she gripped her pocket book a little tighter, but that was it.

“I’d hoped this was going to be a pleasant reunion, Ben. Now, I’m not sure why I came here in the first place.”

I took another shot.

“Sure you do, baby. Everybody wants a piece of the rock.”

Her look softened and there was a catch in her voice.

“Am I that transparent?”…Thanks again to you and to everyone who post their stuff here. I can’t draw water, but I love checking out what you guys do.

Thank you so much, everyone, I am so glad you all enjoyed my take on Ramon's beutiful sketch. Also I am very happy everyone is getting a kick out of that murder scene: I decided to do this whole cover (and not just inking the sketch) just so I could draw that "stretched out" chalk line: I was laughing while drawing it :D

Ron: I had more "bright" colors but I toned it down a bit to make it more pulpy ;)NP Buck: see? How easy is to adapt the fantastic four to a Hammett style? ;) If I had your real name (so I cna credit you), I would post those lines in the post (if that's cool with you) so everyone can read them right away: fun stuff! :)

Given that the noir marvel line takes itself really (perhaps too) seriously, this would be a wonderful twist. Mind you, the noir series is usually "characters without actual powers in real world," but this could be so easily adapted: no one sees sue, ben is hulking, ugly brute, johnny is the hot head flashy guy, reed is just a lanky genius. Yea, this needs to happen.